Cancer Survivors gather for a night at the ballpark

Find more photos from National Cancer Survivor's Day here.On Tuesday, June 8, Siouxland-area cancer survivors were treated to a special night at the ballpark as they gathered to have fun, celebrate survivorship and enjoy nine innings of America’s favorite pastime.There was no cancer fight here: The Sioux City Explorers were battling the Shreveport-Bossier Captains for the win in the first of a three-night stand in Sioux City.Pre-game tailgating offered survivors and families BBQ pork and turkey sandwiches, cole slaw, cookies, water and more before watching the X’s beat the Captains 13-3.Camaraderie and friendship trumped baseball most of the night, but in the end, nine innings of ball were a pretty good way to spend the night with peers, said Bill Brockhaus, South Sioux City, a prostate cancer survivor.“We enjoy the ball games. I get carried away sometimes, but it’s exciting and it’s local,” Brockhaus said.Carolyn Wendte, South Sioux City, said she likes baseball, but acknowledged that the night is about much more than that.“We’re going to watch a baseball game and because of our T-shirts, we are batting 1,000,” said the 10-year breast cancer survivor as she proudly held up her Survivor’s day Tee.The union that survivors share, she said, is an important part of the event. “We all get together and we support one another. It’s a meaningful experience to be with others because we can share stories.”Before the game began, survivors joined together to walk the bases. Bolts of sunlight overpowered a grey cloud overhead as they stepped on the field. Warm applause welcomed them and players traded high-fives with the smiling group as they passed.In the stands, families and friends made the most of the experience.“I’m here for the socializing part of it,” said Kelly Schaible, a breast cancer survivor from Jefferson, S.D. “Whenever I can get to a survivor event, I try to go because its good family fun and it’s for a good cause.”Thanks to our sponsors: Argosy Casino, Creative Embroidery, AaLadin Cleaning Systems, Telco Triad Community Credit Union and Pete’s Meats.This story appears in our Summer 2010 newsletter.